The Will County EV Charger Ground Fault Protection Revolution: How 2025 GFCI Requirements Are Transforming Home Charging Safety Standards

Electric vehicle adoption is accelerating across Will County, Illinois, but with it comes a critical safety evolution that every EV owner needs to understand. The topic of GFCI breakers for EV chargers is gaining momentum with the NFPA 70 2026 proposal, which could mandate GFCI protection for all permanently installed EV chargers. While many hardwired chargers include internal GFCI-like protection (CCID) that can reset automatically after a trip, NFPA 70 2026 requires standard GFCI protection for EV charger installations at 150 volts or less to ground.

Understanding the Current GFCI Landscape for EV Chargers

All EV supply equipment requires GFCI protection. Some chargers have it built-in, others need GFCI breakers. Check the manufacturer specs. This requirement has created confusion among homeowners and even some electricians who aren’t familiar with the latest National Electrical Code updates.

Under the 2023 NEC, Article 625.54 requires GFCI protection only for Plug-in EV chargers, while Article 210.8(A) applies to EV Charger outlets located outdoors, in garages, or within 6 feet of water. In practice, this means GFCI is required only for plug-in chargers and EV charger installations in areas at risk of ground faults, such as wet or outdoor installations.

Why GFCI Protection Matters for EV Charging Safety

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters serve as critical safety devices that can prevent electrocution and electrical fires. It is short for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter and is a safety device that can quickly cut off electrical power in the event of a ground fault. Ground faults can occur when electricity takes an unintended path to the ground, such as through a damaged wire or a wet environment. This can cause a serious risk of electric shock.

The challenge with EV chargers is that they often include their own ground fault protection, but not at the level required by traditional GFCI standards. A GFCI has a 4-6 ma trip threshold; EVSEs usually implement CCID20 which has a 20 ma trip threshold. So for the purposes NEC GFCI requirements, EVSE do not provide GFCI protection.

Will County’s Electrical Code Requirements

Will County has adopted specific electrical code requirements that affect EV charger installations. Will County requires permits for all electrical work, and permits can only be issued to licensed and bonded electrical contractors. This includes panel upgrades, circuit additions, outlet installations, and any changes to your home’s electrical wiring. The only exceptions are simple repairs like replacing light fixtures, outlets, or switches that don’t involve changing the wiring.

For homeowners planning EV charger installations, understanding these requirements is crucial. Will County has specific requirements based on your home’s size. Homes between 2,500 and 3,500 square feet need at least 200-amp service. Homes over 3,500 square feet require 350-amp service. If your home has an older 100-amp panel or fuse box, you’ll need an upgrade to meet current code.

The 2025 GFCI Revolution: What’s Changing

The electrical industry is witnessing significant changes in GFCI requirements for EV chargers. A new table in Article 625 lets electricians size conductors for Level 2 chargers based on duty cycle rather than continuous load, trimming wire gauge on many 40-amp installations. GFCI protection is mandatory for all 125- and 250-volt receptacle-type EV chargers.

In June 2025, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) approved significant updates to the 2026 National Electrical Code (NEC). The new code introduces a qualified person requirement for permanently installed EV charging equipment. The language is ambiguous, but most states are expected to interpret “qualified person” as a licensed electrician. This shift effectively bans most unlicensed homeowner EV charger installations, replacing the old DIY culture with professional oversight.

Professional Installation: The Safe Choice

With these evolving requirements, professional installation has become more critical than ever. When considering EV Charger Installation Will County, IL, working with licensed electricians ensures compliance with both current and upcoming code requirements.

To mitigate this, I recommend Type B or Type EV GFCI breakers designed to handle both AC and smooth DC leakage currents common in EV chargers, especially if your EV charger doesn’t have inbuilt GFCI protection. Type B breakers detect sinusoidal AC, pulsating DC, and smooth DC residual currents, making them better suited for EV chargers that produce complex leakage currents and don’t have built-in ground fault protection. They also trip at around 6 mA but offer enhanced sensitivity to the DC leakage produced by electronic components inside a home EV charger.

Common Installation Challenges and Solutions

Many homeowners encounter specific challenges when installing EV chargers with GFCI protection. I’ve seen this firsthand while testing EV chargers on our test bench, where smart chargers performing self-tests at initial connection or during charging often caused nuisance tripping shortly after installation, especially when paired with older or generic Class A breakers. The issue wasn’t the chargers themselves, but the breakers’ inability to distinguish normal EVSE self-test currents from actual faults.

EV charger installation is straightforward if you follow the basics: size circuits at 125% of charger rating, provide GFCI protection, use proper grounding, and don’t skimp on wire sizing. The hardest part is usually dealing with older electrical panels that need upgrades.

Looking Ahead: Preparing for Future Requirements

As EV adoption continues to grow in Will County, staying ahead of electrical code changes becomes increasingly important. Installations exceeding 150 volts to ground must use special-purpose ground-fault circuit interrupters (SPGFCIs), though these devices are not yet widely available. Following public feedback during the 2026 NEC drafting process, installations exceeding 150 volts to ground have been granted an extension until January 1, 2029, allowing manufacturers time to develop products that support bidirectional current flow.

The evolution of GFCI requirements for EV chargers represents a significant shift toward enhanced safety in home charging installations. For Will County residents considering EV ownership, understanding these requirements and working with qualified electrical professionals ensures both compliance and safety.

This market isn’t going away. Learn the requirements now, do quality work, and you’ll have steady business as EV adoption continues to grow. The same principle applies to homeowners: understanding these requirements now will save time, money, and ensure safety as electric vehicle charging becomes an integral part of daily life in Will County.